David Swanson is a political activist, journalist, and author, whose
latest book, 'War is a Lie' puts to the lie the underpinnings of the
multi-generational state of conflict ruling world events for at least
the last century. While 'War is a Lie' serves as stark reminder of our
collective abrogation of morality and the duties necessary to maintain
any semblance of civilization, David Swanson's previous book, 'Daybreak:
Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union'
provides the contemporary context of the nightmare new world order
perpetual war has engendered. David Swanson in the first half.

And; Jon Elmer is a freelance photojournalist who lives in and reports from
Palestine. Over the near decade past, Jon has informed this program of
the daily realities faced by those living under Israeli occupation from
that occupation's heart. Jon Elmer and the stones recently turned in
Palestine in the second half.

And; Victoria Street Newz publisher
and CFUV broadcaster, Janine Bandcroft will join us at the bottom of
the hour to bring us up to speed with what's current on Victoria's
streetz and beyond; but first, David Swanson and living the lie of war
in perpetuity.

The first casualty of war, the old saw says, is truth, but just when does it, mauled and riddled die? In the modern state of warfare, long before the first bombs fall, before the shock and horror of burning flesh and broken bones begin, lies are launched. Flying across the air waves, they constitute the first assault. Aimed at the sensibilities of those who finance the carnage, you and me, the lies are meant to convince we pay-rollers of war-making the twisted cities and broken lives to come are necessary to secure for all peace and prosperity. It's an old ploy, time-tested and truly useful in maintaining the perpetual state of war that is recent history's new normal. Lies are the real currency of war; invested early, they pay massive dividends not only for those once derided as "profiteers," but for an entire system predicated on the planned destruction of the "other." The System, our accepted economic and social paradigm in Canada and throughout what was until recently known as the "free world," depends on an endless supply of lies to fuel and foment hot hatred, and feed the enmity necessary to stoke the constant fires of a forever war.

David Swanson is a political activist, journalist, and author, whose latest book, 'War is a Lie' puts to the lie the underpinnings of the multi-generational state of conflict ruling world events for at least the last century. While 'War is a Lie' serves as stark reminder of our collective abrogation of morality and the duties necessary to maintain any semblance of civilization, David Swanson's previous book, 'Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union' provides the contemporary context of the nightmare new world order perpetual war has engendered. David Swanson in the first half.

And; the reports coming out of Occupied Palestine have become increasingly dire over the last weeks. While the Christian world celebrates its high holidays, the killing and repression that marks Israel's colonial project continues unabated, quickening even as world attention wanes. Bombings and sniper attacks in Gaza, house seizures in Jerusalem, and the murder of a peaceful demonstrator, gassed to death by the Israeli military at the weekly wall protest in Bi'lin, are bad tidings of just the last few days in the Holy land. As dismal as this news is, it's welcome relief from the 2008 Christmas bombardment of Gaza, aptly titled 'Operation Cast Lead' by the IDF. That "operation" led to the destruction of thousands of lives, and a vast swath of Gaza's infrastructure. Recent Wikileaks revelations reveal some of the lessons Israel's military command took away from that three weeks of horror and brutality.

Jon Elmer is a freelance photojournalist who lives in and reports from Palestine. Over the near decade past, Jon has informed this program of the daily realities faced by those living under Israeli occupation from that occupation's heart. Jon Elmer and the stones recently turned in Palestine in the second half.

And; Victoria Street Newz publisher and CFUV broadcaster, Janine Bandcroft will join us at the bottom of the hour to bring us up to speed with what's current on Victoria's streetz and beyond; but first, David Swanson and living the lie of war in perpetuity.

5:03:00 21:00 Discussion w/ David Swanson

"Welcome back to the show, David. President Obama will perform his State of the Union speech in a couple week's time: I expect he'll report on his ending of the Iraq war, and winding down of hostilities prior to America and her coalition's planned departure from Afghanistan, slated to begin at year's end.Can we despisers of war not now rest easy?"

Reports coming out of Occupied Palestine have become increasingly dire over the last weeks. While the Christian world celebrates its high holidays, the killing and repression that marks Israel's colonial project continues unabated, quickening even as world attention wanes. Bombings and sniper attacks in Gaza, house seizures in Jerusalem, and the murder of a peaceful demonstrator, gassed to death by the Israeli military at the weekly wall protest in Bi'lin, are bad tidings of just the last few days in the Holy land. As dismal as this news is, it's welcome relief from the 2008 Christmas bombardment of Gaza, aptly titled 'Operation Cast Lead' by the IDF. That "operation" led to the destruction of thousands of lives, and a vast swath of Gaza's infrastructure. Recent Wikileaks revelations reveal some of the lessons Israel's military command took away from that three weeks of horror and brutality.

Jon Elmer is a freelance photojournalist who lives in and reports from Palestine. Over the near decade past, Jon has informed this program of the daily realities faced by those living under Israeli occupation from that occupation's heart.

"Welcome back to the show, Jon. We learn now, via Wikileaks, Israeli lieutenant general Gabi Ashkenazi told an American congressional delegation, in the aftermath of the three week Operation Cast Lead war crime, Israel would no longer accept quote: "any restrictions on warfare in populated areas..." end quote. Just what are we to make of revelations like that?"